Unit 2: Ecosystems and Ecology
Topic 2.6: Human Impacts Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB ESS Topic 2.6. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
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Define the term overexploitation.
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Define the term invasive species.
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A food chain is phytoplankton → zooplankton → sardine → tuna → shark. Suggest which organism is likely to have the highest concentration of mercury.
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State one reason why human impacts on ecosystems are often described as rapid.
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State one edge effect that can occur after habitat fragmentation.
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State the two broad types of pollution.
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State one pathway by which invasive species can be introduced to a new ecosystem.
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State one way in which deforestation can reduce matter storage in an ecosystem.
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State one reason why microplastics can enter food webs at low trophic levels.
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Define the term overexploitation.
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State one example of a natural resource that can be overexploited.
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Define the term habitat fragmentation.
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State one reason why microplastics are considered long-lasting pollutants.
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Define the term pollution.
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Define the term microplastics.
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What is the main cause of species extinction worldwide?
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Suggest two reasons why large predators are often vulnerable to overexploitation.
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Outline one way plastic pollution can enter a marine food web.
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Outline one reason why overexploitation can cause a population to collapse.
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Outline how feedback loops are involved in alternate stable states and tipping points in ecosystems.
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